On May 27 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia together with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) hosted “Strong Diaspora for United Georgia” - a forum dedicated to Diaspora Day.

The aims of the forum were strengthening relationships with Georgian living abroad, discussing challenges for Georgian diaspora and searching for effective ways of supporting diaspora organizations.

“Our government fully recognizes the importance of Georgian diaspora’s role in the process of our country’s development. Therefore, taking care of Georgians living abroad and defending their interests is among the highest interests.” – said Davit Zalkaliani, Minister of Foreign of Georgia during his speech at the forum.

Two meetings were organized during the forum – “Economics and Business – Georgian Diaspora for Country’s Development” and “Education and Culture”. The first meeting was attended by IOM Georgia National Programme Officer, Natia Kvitsiani who overviewed IOM’s past and future projects aimed at supporting diaspora’s inclusion in country’s development process.

President of Georgia – Salome Zurabishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Speaker of the Parliament – Kakha Kuchava, Chair of the Diaspora and Caucasus Issues Committee at the Parliament – Beka Odisharia and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament – Levan Ioseliani also made their remarks during the forum.